When No. 7 Hillhouse hosts No. 3 Hand Friday in an SCC showdown at Bowen Field (4 p.m.), Hillhouse senior Je'Vaughn Moore will likely play a key role in the action.

Moore's been doing just that in every game since his sophomore year, when he took over under center in the third quarter against Cheshire in Week 2 in 2010. The Academics lost that game, but Hillhouse gained so much more: a steady, consistent and intelligent leader at quarterback.

"He's calm, cool and collected," Hillhouse coach Tom Dyer said. "In the offense we run, we put a lot of pressure on our quarterback to be a good decision maker. We're fortunate to have somebody, not only with Je'Vaughn's athletic ability, but with his mental capabilities, too."

Moore has started every game since taking over against Cheshire. Hillhouse finished the season at 10-3 and won the Class M state championship. The Academics went 7-3 last season but did not qualify for the postseason. With the amount of talent on the Hillhouse roster, another championship is certainly a possibility.

"The only quarterback stat that matters in our program is wins," Dyer said. "You're measured by wins. Je'Vaughn's bought into that the last few years. He's done a great job for us. He's been a great team player over the years."

Moore expects big things from his squad this season, but is fully aware of the type of challenge Hand, the defending Class L champion, presents.

"We just pretty much want to prove to the state that we can win this game, that we're able to win the state championship, God willing, and that we can pretty much compete with anyone," Moore said. "We have to take it one step at a time, of course."